Ex-Obama Aide Makes Bid in N.J.

By

Heather Haddon

Feb. 21, 2013 9:18 p.m. ET

In the world of New Jersey politics, the unseen hand of the so-called party boss still plays an outsize role in picking who gets the financial support and voter-turnout help needed to win a local election. This year, the system is being put to the test by a tall, thin law professor who once worked for President
Barack Obama
.

ENLARGE

Mark Alexander, right, with commuter Kristen Schreiber at the Upper Montclair Train Station in New Jersey.
JOHN TAGGART for The Wall Street Journal

Mark Alexander,
the president's former campaign strategist and policy adviser, has rankled the northern New Jersey establishment by running in a Democratic primary against state Sen. Nia Gill, a lawmaker since 1994. The race has drawn an unusual amount of national interest for a seat representing Montclair and its surrounding areas, as Mr. Alexander draws on his Washington Rolodex to raise money. Next week, U.S. Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware, is hosting a fundraiser for him in Washington next week, as will former White House counsel, Greg Craig.

Mr. Alexander already has $124,566 in his campaign account for the June 4 primary, nearly three times as much as Ms. Gill and a large amount for a local intraparty contest. Comedian Bill Cosby and U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy were among his contributors, and much of his money comes from outside the state. "There's an entrenched power structure that I'm pushing against," said Mr. Alexander, a 48-year-old father.

Mr. Alexander worked for Mr. Obama's 2008 campaign and served on the president's transition team, and friends see similarities between two men who campaign as outsiders after building deep contacts within the political system.

"Obviously there is a lot in the Obama legacy and formula that Mark shares," Mr. Craig said. "He believes in the system profoundly. You can achieve change within the system."

Mr. Alexander has sought the support of the Essex County Democratic Committee, but no decision has been made. He said he didn't expect to get the powerful organization's endorsement.

Political observers say he upset local leaders by jumping into the race before working his way up in the party organization.

The Essex organization—run by County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo—is the northern half of what is known as New Jersey's Democratic Party-boss system. In the south, George Norcross, an insurance executive in Camden County, holds sway.

New Jersey's system of powerful local leaders dates back to the 19th century, when the state's spheres of influence were spread out. The dynamics changed in 1947, when the state revised its Constitution, creating a strong governor and stripping county bosses of their power over the judiciary. They maintained the ability to make local government appointments, and their endorsements are coveted. "Those things are so embedded in custom," said Ingrid Reed, the former director of the Rutgers Eagleton Institute of Politics.

Ms. Gill has also run against the party establishment and won. A lawyer who has long worked in politics, Ms. Gill was a four-term assemblywoman when she ran for state Senate in 2002 against a Democratic opponent with county support and more money. Ms. Gill stressed her independence and won. "The party is actually the constituents. They've always returned me to office no matter where I am on the ballot," said Ms. Gill, a 64-year-old grandmother.

Ms. Gill said the race with Mr. Alexander would come down to issues and her record. She pointed to her Democratic stance on policies such as gay marriage and education funding. "I have a record that speaks for itself," she said.

The 34th legislative district's 134,000 registered voters are liberal, with 48% registered Democrats and 8% Republican. The winner of the Democratic primary in June will face no serious challenge in the November general election.

On paper, Mr. Alexander and Ms. Gill share many views. His campaign platform includes expanding mass transit, opposing hydraulic fracturing, increasing funding of education and passing gay-marriage legislation. Mr. Alexander said he would offer a stylistic difference, saying Ms. Gill hadn't played a visible role in her district and accepted campaign donations from special interests such as check-cashing companies and political action committees. "The incumbent is part of an entrenched status quo that's not changing things," he said.

Mr. Alexander has put an emphasis on retail politics, hitting grocery stores and train stations. His campaign donors are mostly individuals as opposed to political action committees.

In about two dozen interviews in Montclair last week, most people interviewed hadn't heard of the race, or vaguely knew of Ms. Gill.

Sarah Wolman, a 42-year-old Montclair resident and nonprofit consultant, said she had "heard great things" about Mr. Alexander but also had a favorable opinion of Ms. Gill. "They are clearly two strong candidates," she said.

Mr. Alexander grew up in Washington and his father, Clifford, was the first African-American to serve as secretary of the U.S. Army during the Carter administration. Mr. Alexander worked as Bill Bradley's policy director for his presidential bid in 2000, for former U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy and as Newark Mayor Cory Booker's counsel in 2006. He currently is a tenured law professor at Seton Hall University.

While the Essex County Democratic Party hasn't made an endorsement, Passaic County Chairman John Currie said he has been impressed by Mr. Alexander and thinks Ms. Gill could be more "active" in her service to Clifton.

In New Jersey, support from Washington counts less than the backing of local leaders who can turn out the vote, said
Patrick Murray,
director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute. Mr. Murray believes Mr. Alexander has a shot at winning, but said that Ms. Gill has honed a base in her district that her challenger lacks. Get out the vote operations will make or break the race, he said. "These things are won on the streets," he said.

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